To paint or not to paint

[Rob in NH]

What Rick said.

[Super A]

I would clean it very well and use some auto compound on it to remove the oxide layer on the paint and then see what you have. I personally would not paint that tractor if it was mine. You even have what looks like a dealer sticker on it so probably original paint

I would do the same thing.

On Classic Tractor Fever the other day, they were talking about a product called Flitz that is used to "revive" original paint. The results were impressive.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qZxHvtO6TDw

Al

[BQUICK]

Original paint can often be revived and it was lead-based back in the day......better than the stuff we have now.
Only original once...…
I have a 67 Buick Riviera and opted to just polish engine compartment components rather than re-spraying. Sure if you do a perfect restoration it will look better but anything less is off IMO.

[Mtnman1535]

A bad paint job is worse (in my opinion) than poor original paint.

I have a couple to tractors with major parts pepto bismol pink from poor quality "red" paint poorly applied.

Me too never thought about it but pepto bismol pink is spot on

[ShawnAgne]

My tractors aren't show tractors, but they look nice the 100 I'm currently doing looks really nice. I don't want to drive pre-rusting/oxidized looking tractor. Same with with my gun collection, I've restored my Trapdoors, Krags, and 03s to their original finishes. Collector values be it tractors, guns, or dishes is only there if you find a person willing to buy it. In theory my Grandma's China and Pewter should be worth a lot of money but it isn't worth anything because nobody wants it. I figure in 40 years when I'm 83 if my tractors look nice someone will buy them. If they are oxidized and rusty they may be more original but nobody will be interested.

[Clemsonfor]

My tractors aren't show tractors, but they look nice the 100 I'm currently doing looks really nice. I don't want to drive pre-rusting/oxidized looking tractor. Same with with my gun collection, I've restored my Trapdoors, Krags, and 03s to their original finishes. Collector values be it tractors, guns, or dishes is only there if you find a person willing to buy it. In theory my Grandma's China and Pewter should be worth a lot of money but it isn't worth anything because nobody wants it. I figure in 40 years when I'm 83 if my tractors look nice someone will buy them. If they are oxidized and rusty they may be more original but nobody will be interested.

China, silver, pewter is not worth much these days cause people don't care about it. Tastes change. That use to be what everyone wanted and a sign of wealth or prosperity. Its the same thing today people all want new shiny trucks and SUVs and iPhones and massive , massive TVs yet they say they don't watch the tv...they watch their podcasts or stream their Netflix to a phone or tablet??? Anyway, as I know you know it's not that the china is or is not shiney or in good condition but more that people don't care about that stuff. So there is more of it than people who want it. Tractors could be the same way in 40 years...maybe not but with more people moving to the city and liking city things even though there more people to compete for the same number or fewer tractors will they still be as desirable??? Who knows. But desirability is the reason these cubs don't bring much money. Look at what it costs to restore one right and look at what you can sell it for. Huge difference in cost. No your labor isn't really free. There were so many cubs made to there not one of the models that's rare and people want as soon as they hear it mentioned that one's for sale somewhere. I like them for that reason, because there common there is an aftermarket and hopefully that parts for the. Will always be available.

[John *.?-!.* cub owner]

I guess everyone has a different viewpoint. When I go to a tractor show I have a lot more interest in tractors in working clothes, and maybe with implements than I do is a pretty show tractor. But you have to remember I also am old and in my working clothes. Paint does not help my looks.

[Don McCombs]

I just wonder, in the year and a half since this thread was started, what Servicetune decided to do.